NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has signed an agreement with the California Trade and Commerce Agency to develop an online reference system for the California Film Commission's Location Resource Library.

JPL's Imaging Processing Applications and Development Section will develop a system, the Electronic Production Resource Library Information Database, to place on-line the more than 200,000 location photographs and text material in the commission's library.

The library information system will make available to film production personnel the descriptions and photos of locations through a computer network. The new technology will automate the search and retrieval process for screening potential film locations and will include other production services.

The state agency said the film commission is planning a series of focus groups with members of the entertainment industry to solicit their input into the technology development.

The agency noted that filming is an $8 billion industry in the state, employing more than 90,000 people. The California Film Commission was established in 1985 as part of the Trade and Commerce Agency and acts in an economic development capacity to attract and retain film, television and commercial production to the state.